Goodyear has developed a new self-inflating tire for commercial vehicles. The Air Maintenance Technology system uses an internal pressure regulator to determine when the tire is low. When pressure falls below a certain parameter, the regulator opens to allow air into a pumping tube. Here's the cool part: the tube runs around the circumference of the tire, and as tire rolls, it squeezes the tube, effectively forcing air into the tire through an inlet. Once the tire is properly inflated, the regulator closes off the pumping tube and the truck continues on its way without ever stopping or having to rely on an external compressor.
The benefits to an automatic inflation system are obvious. Vehicles with under-inflated tires use more fuel, have worse handling and chew through tread much quicker than their properly maintained counterparts.
Goodyear says implementing Air Maintenance Technology on commercial vehicles was particularly difficult due to the higher-than-normal pressures found on large truck tires. Most commercial vehicles run an average of 105 psi compared to the 32 psi of passenger cars. Check out the full press release below.
Via: Goodyear unveils self-inflating tires for big trucks
Goodyear unveils self-inflating tires for big trucks Gallery
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